Planned Parenthood of Central Washington Receives Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant of $75,000 for New Walla Walla Center

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Planned Parenthood of Central Washington (PPCW) announced today that it will receive a grant of $75,000 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the new Planned Parenthood center in Walla Walla. The capital campaign, "Building on the Past, Securing the Future," began last year and has raised more than $400,000 through major gifts and pledges. To receive the foundation grant, another $75,000 must be raised from individuals and businesses in the community.

"We are extremely grateful to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for their generous gift recognizing the importance of ensuring that all women and men have access to reproductive health care," said Gwen Chaplin, president/CEO of Planned Parenthood of Central Washington. "The foundation's support of the new Planned Parenthood center in Walla Walla demonstrates a strong commitment to programs that address the reproductive health needs of all ages…access to reproductive health care, voluntary family planning services, reproductive health information and services for adolescents aimed at reducing teenage pregnancies and preventing disease."

Planned Parenthood purchased a 3,200-square-foot building at 828 South First Avenue, Walla Walla, in July 2000. A capital campaign began immediately to raise the funds needed to remodel the structure. "The early stages of the campaign focused on major gifts," said Tricia Schulte, PPCW's development assistant in Walla Walla. "We have been thrilled by the generous contributions the campaign has received so far, and I am confident that as we begin the public portion of the campaign, the community will continue to demonstrate their support and commitment to Planned Parenthood and the services we provide."

The new Planned Parenthood center is "The Ruth Baker Kimball Center," named in honor of Ruth Baker Kimball, a long-time Planned Parenthood volunteer. "Ruth worked throughout her life to make sure reproductive health care and family planning services were accessible to women in the Walla Walla area. Generous contributions from Ruth's extended family and others in the community will make it possible to reach our campaign goal," said Schulte. "I am confident that people in Walla Walla share our vision that all children deserve to be born healthy and welcomed into loving families and that all women have the right to affordable, accessible screening for breast and cervical cancer. I know we will reach our goal and will soon own the newly remodeled building free and clear."

An open house at The Ruth Baker Kimball Center, 828 South First Avenue, Walla Walla, will be held Wednesday, May 16, from 4 – 6 p.m. The public is invited.

Those interested in hearing more about the capital campaign and how they can participate are encouraged to call Tricia Schulte at (509) 529-4050 or Sally Lust at (509) 248-3628 or email [email protected].